The wife and I just completed the outward portion of a rather long haul... We're based in Ottawa. She has a conference in Victoria. We pulled 4500km in 7 days.

From Ottawa we drove across Ontario to Sault Ste. Marie, then crossed into Michegan. Across northern Michegan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and then back up into Canada to visit some friends in Regina. Then through Medicine Hat and down the Crowsnest, through Cranbrook, Osoyoos, Hope and into Vancouver.

I loved the Crowsnest, but it was definitely a challenging highway. I grew up driving in the mountains, but lack experience pulling a trailer through them. It did surprise me how much the trailer slows you down on these roads. Even if your top speed matches the speed limit, all the slowing down for hills and curves, and not speeding up quickly, really cuts into your average.

I definitely want to get back to the Michegan upper peninsula when we've got more time. Looks like a lovely area.

And there's nothing in northern Minnesota worth taking a picture...

Another thing that surprised me was the effect of wind on fuel economy. Travelling 90 kph through Michegan, we got around 16l/100km. Speed up to freeway speeds and the fuel economy drops, of course. But heading west out of Regina we were into a head wind, and even doing 90kph we were seeing 21l/100km in a typical stretch. Even across the Crowsnest we say 18l/100km. Wind is evil...

Anyway, a few thoughts on the long drive... Can't say it was relaxing, but it was kinda fun.

But *now* is when the real vacation starts. I get to play lazy tourist in Victoria and relax while she attends her conference.... Then we take a relatively slow trip back, through the Canadian Rockies, Montana, a brief visit to Yellowstone, and more...

On the dollar note, we figured taking the south-of-superior route saved us about $120 between cheaper US gas and cheaper US campgrounds...

I like the north-of-superior route too, but if you're just getting from A to B, $120 is worth figuring into your equation.

Hi: dbailey... Your trip out& back sounds like ours. We took I75 to Mackinac then south of Superior route #2 thru Mich./ Wisc./ Minn./ N.Dak and I29 into MB Canada. Dropped trailer at her new home and jambed every thing into the truck for the Trans Canada Highway trip to BC.
Two nites in MB. with friends, one in Regina with family, one in Calgary with friends, then over the hills to Chilliwack BC. to pickup our new 2014 5.0TA. WOW!!!
O'er nite in Manning Pk. boondocking, then Osoyoos for 4 nites at NK'Mip CG. for the Escape Rally, then on to Waterton Lakes National Pk.
Back into the US. at a border crossing in the middle of nowhere, and on to Yellowstone National Pk. The stormy weather chased us along I94 back east and took #10 & 210 to Duluth/Superior and back #2 & I75. WHEW!!! 10,500 kms total...What A trip. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

John,
It seems Doug was just traveling through MN for cheaper fuel and campgrounds just to get to his final destination and missed the beauty of the journey. We enjoyed our recent visit to northern Minnesota and took lots of pictures.

Indeed... I have been through the southern part of Minnesota before (at a much more relaxed pace) and quite enjoyed it. But highway 2 through Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota is not the most stimulating road on the planet.

As I said at the beginning, getting there is *not* half the fun... It's where you stop that counts.